Bears trade for Tank’s replacement

Reed Schreck

Monday

Jul 30, 2007 at 12:01 AMJul 30, 2007 at 1:15 PM

Saying you "have to have a little luck" to pull off a significant trade at this time of the year, Jerry Angelo did just that Sunday.

The Chicago Bears general manager swung a deal with Buffalo for defensive tackle Darwin Walker, who has played all but one of his 88 games with Philadelphia. Walker, obtained for an undisclosed draft pick, ranks fifth among players at his position with 26

1/2 sacks since 2002.

"I don’t want to get too euphoric — he still has to come out here and show us what he can do," Angelo said. "He’s got to earn his stripes just like anyone else. But he’s got a real good history. His character has been very, very good in terms of the kind of teammate and citizen he is. We feel we got a quality player."

Walker is expected to eventually work his way into a starting role along side Tommie Harris, in essence replacing Tank Johnson.

"I’m extremely happy; I don’t know how else to put it," said Walker, dressed in a white T-shirt and khaki shorts while watching part of practice. "They’ve had a lot of success, and I just want to be part of it whatever way I can."

Walker was traded March 26 to Buffalo. Walker said his first choice was to be traded to Chicago.

"It finally worked out that way," he said, saying he’ll always cherish the championship years he had with the Eagles and calling them "exciting, exciting times."

Walker, originally drafted in the third round by Arizona in 2000, said he was told the Bears "will work him in slowly. It will be a process."

Said Bears coach Lovie Smith: "We talk a lot about our defensive line and how it all starts up front. Adding another player like that to the mix helps a lot. To get a proven player who can rush the passer like Darwin will help a lot."